Thirty-three North East companies have been named for failing to pay the national minimum wage. Between them they underpaid 804 workers a total of £139,567, an average of £173 each, in various periods between 2018 and 2025. The North East employers are among 658 throughout the UK on the latest list.
The government said that nationally around £4mn had been returned to over 27,000 workers who had been denied the pay they were legally owed, with penalties totalling £7mn issued to the employers responsible.
The new naming round, it said, was the latest step in the government’s commitment to publish naming lists more regularly so that bosses are swiftly held to account and make improvements as soon as possible. Since first launching in 2011, more than £100mn in penalties had been issued to over 5,200 employers, leading to over £66mn being repaid to 650,000 workers.
“The smart thing to do” – Reynolds
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “The best businesses know that looking after your workers isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do, building the stronger, more successful businesses that drive growth in every postcode.
“Most employers already understand this, and I want to work with them to ensure they have every piece of guidance and support available to help them follow the rules. Short-changing your staff isn’t a shortcut to success and we are determined to stamp it out.”
Employers will be held to account
Minister for the Future of Work Kate Dearden said: “Underpaying your staff is illegal, and we will not let workers foot the bill for their boss failing to follow the rules. We’re making sure workers get the hard-earned pay they deserve, and where employers fall short, they will be held to account. Every employer should check their payroll now and reach out to Acas [the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service] if they need further support.”
The Fair Work Agency
This is the first ‘naming round’ since the Fair Work Agency was set up in April. This new enforcement body was formed through the recently passed Employment Rights Act to bring workers’ rights enforcement under one roof for the first time.
Offering a single, streamlined place where employers will be able to get guidance on how to follow the rules, said the government, the Fair Work Agency would have more muscle to ensure that workers across the country get every penny they are owed, giving families more room to breathe. This not only included enforcing payment of the minimum wage but was soon set to tackle those who break the law by denying holiday and sick pay.
Chair of the Fair Work Agency Advisory Board Matthew Taylor said: “The Fair Work Agency is here to make it easier for employers to understand and meet their responsibilities, while taking firm action where workers are denied the pay they are legally owed.
“This naming round is an important reminder that paying the minimum wage is not optional — it is the law. Most employers want to do the right thing, and we will support them to comply, but those who fall short should expect robust enforcement to protect workers and maintain a fair playing field for responsible businesses.
“We are urging all employers to check their payroll, review their processes and correct any mistakes now, so every worker receives the pay they are entitled to.”
The North East employers named on the latest list
Victa DP Ltd, trading as Dominos, Wynyard, TS22, failed to pay £16,031.07 to 312 workers.
Dongard Scaffolding Limited, Whitley Bay, NE25, failed to pay £13,652.98 to 8 workers.
Hand 2 Hold Limited, Middlesbrough, TS4, failed to pay £12,607.23 to 119 workers.
Clean 4 U (NE) Limited, Jarrow, NE32, failed to pay £9,765.60 to 33 workers.
F.M.S Freezer Management Services Limited, Redcar and Cleveland, TS11, failed to pay £7,906.73 to 1 worker.
The Priory Day Nursery Limited, Middlesborough, TS6, failed to pay £5,738.59 to 1 worker.
Mr Jonathan Horsman, trading as Designer Crates and Cages, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18, failed to pay £4,784.94 to 1 worker.
Davidson of Darras Hall Ltd, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE20, failed to pay £4,602.59 to 38 workers.
PL Gill Ltd, trading as Gills Fish & Chips, South Shields, NE34, failed to pay £4,548.10 to 2 workers.
Beamish Park Golf Club Limited, Stanley, DH9, failed to pay £4,298.64 to 1 worker.
Maxideals Group Ltd, Darlington, DL3, failed to pay £4,033.33 to 51 workers.
Parkdean Resorts UK Limited, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE12, failed to pay £3,518.73 to 1 worker.
PVR & Co. Ltd, trading as Premier – Tantobie Stores, Stanley, DH9, failed to pay £2,938.96 to 2 workers.
Boomerang Healthcare Ltd, Gateshead, NE10, failed to pay £2,505.93 to 74 workers.
Autoplus (UK) Limited, Stockton On Tees, TS20, failed to pay £2,231.06 to 3 workers.
A1 Property Consultants Ltd, trading as Spire Property Group, Sunderland, SR1, failed to pay £2,054.40 to 1 worker.
Roseberry Care Centres GB Limited, Houghton-Le-Spring, DH4, failed to pay £1,757.71 to 25 workers.
Goa Seaburn Ltd, trading as Goa Exemplary Indian Cuisine, Sunderland, SR6, failed to pay £1,732.00 to 8 workers.
T. Leisure Limited, trading as Neptune Fish Restaurant, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE68, failed to pay £1,644.03 to 2 workers.
Milligans Durham Limited, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE16, failed to pay £1,385.05 to 15 workers.
FORK CATERING LTD, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1, failed to pay £1,234.72 to 6 workers.
K.W. Reader & Sons Limited, trading as The Dunes, South Shields, NE33, failed to pay £1,220.99 to 12 workers.
Milligans Sunderland Limited, Sunderland, SR1, failed to pay £1,106.24 to 8 workers.
Milligans Whickham Limited, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE16, failed to pay £998.23 to 8 workers.
Milligans Middlesbrough Limited, Middlesbrough, TS1, failed to pay £997.31 to 15 workers.
A Vita Limited, trading as A Vita, Cleveland, TS15, failed to pay £994.90 to 3 workers.
Milligans Kenton Limited, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3, failed to pay £954.13 to 15 workers.
Il Cancello Italian Ltd, Stanley, DH9, failed to pay £818.89 to 9 workers.
C & R Global Leisure Ltd, trading as The Turks Head, Darlington, DL3, failed to pay £797.77 to 8 workers.
Boro Protect Security Ltd, Middlesbrough, TS1, failed to pay £670.88 to 1 worker.
Bel Viso Limited, Cleveland, TS18, failed to pay £619.69 to 1 worker.
D&D Contract Cleaning Ltd, Middlesbrough, TS8, failed to pay £594.88 to 1 worker.
THE FINNEY PHARMA LTD, trading as Finney Pharmacy, Sunderland, SR2, failed to pay £515.50 to 2 workers.
